Achilles (Mythological character); Epic poetry, Greek -- Translations into English; Trojan War
So saying he aroused the spirit and soul of every man. Thereat Sarpedon
sorely chode noble Hector: “Hector, where now is the spirit gone that
erst thou hadst? Thou saidst forsooth that without armies or allies
thou wouldest hold the city, alone with thy sisters’ husbands and thy
brothers; but now can I not see any of these neither perceive them, but
they are cowering like hounds about a lion; and we are fighting that
are but allies among you. Yea I being an ally am come from very far;
far off is Lykia upon eddying Xanthos, where I left my dear wife and
infant son, and left my great wealth that each one coveteth that is in
need. Yet for all that I urge on my Lykians, and myself am eager to
fight my man, though here is naught of mine such as the Achaians might
plunder or harry. But thou standest, nay thou dost not even urge all
thine hosts to abide and guard their wives. Only beware lest, as though
tangled in meshes of all-ensnaring flax, ye be made unto your foemen a
prey and a spoil; and they will soon lay waste your well-peopled city.
Thee it behoveth to give thought to all these things both by night and
day, and to beseech the captains of thy far-famed allies to hold on
unflinchingly; and so shalt thou put away their sore rebuking from
thee.”
So spake Sarpedon, and his word stung Hector to the heart, Forthwith he
leapt from his chariot in his armour to the earth, and brandishing two
keen spears went everywhere through the host, urging them to fight, and
roused the dread battle-cry. So they were rallied and stood to face the
Achaians: and the Argives withstood them in close array and fled not.
Even as a wind carrieth the chaff about the sacred threshing-floors
when men are winnowing, what time golden-haired Demeter in rush of wind
maketh division of grain and chaff, and so the chaff-heaps grow
white—so now grew the Achaians white with falling dust which in their
midst the horses’ hooves beat up into the brazen heaven, as fight was
joined again, and the charioteers wheeled round. Thus bare they forward
the fury of their hands: and impetuous Ares drew round them a veil of
night to aid the Trojans in the battle,* ranging everywhere; so
fulfilled he the behest of Phoebus Apollo of the golden sword, who bade
him rouse the Trojans’ spirit when he beheld Pallas Athene departed;
for she was helper to the Danaans. And Apollo himself sent forth
Aineias from his rich sanctuary and put courage in the heart of him,
shepherd of the hosts. So Aineias took his place amid his comrades, and
they were glad to see him come among them alive and sound and full of
valiant spirit. Yet they questioned him not at all, for all the toil
forbade them that the god of the silver bow was stirring and Ares bane
of men and Strife raging insatiably.
* Or, drew round the battle a veil of night to help the Trojans.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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